@ALT_uscis, who kindly helped us when we were trying to spread the word about the three leaders in the undocumented immigrant community who were arrested by ICE, was the target of an investigation on the part of 45’s administration. The DHS tried to force Twitter to unmask the people behind @ALT_uscis. Both Twitter and the ACLU pushed back on the request, and the DHS backed down. Now members of Congress are looking into DHS’ efforts to attack free speech and target leaders of the resistance. https://twitter.com/ACLU/status/850399451525074947

A previous newsletter suggested that we lend our support to Jim Thompson, who is running for office in Kansas. A National Republican Congressional Committee ad which made false allegations about Thompson’s position on abortion is being pulled https://twitter.com/daveweigel/status/850476662772957185 If you are interested in lending Thompson a helping hand, join the phone bank in Montpellier on April 10, mentioned above.

A previous newsletter asked everyone to call their members of Congress, asking them to call on Devin Nunes to recuse himself from the House investigation into 45’s collusion with Russia. Nunes has indeed recused himself from the investigation. “The California Republican suggested he made the decision because he said several “leftwing activist groups” filed accusations against him with the Office of Congressional Ethics. He said their charges are “entirely false and politically motivated.” WEwere among those leftwing activist groups!” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/devin-nunes-recuses-himself-from-russia-probe/ (from http://roganslist.blogspot.com/)

NEW ITEMS REQUIRINGACTION in no particular order – there are a lot, but that’s because I know that people are interested in different things. Pick the issue that you’re most concerned about, and take action.

Script: I am one of the Congressman’s constituents in Vermont. I want to thank the Congressman for making inquiries into the US military strike in Syria. I would like him to continue pursuing an investigation into 45’s goals and objectives in the region. I would also like him to investigate whether the strike was in fact a violation of US or international law, and if 45 acted in the best interests of Americans and Syrians.

Action: Call the White House comment line: 202-456-1111 or write to The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500 or tweet to @realDonaldTrump to ask 45 to remove the ban on Syrian refugees entering the US. (from http://roganslist.blogspot.com/)

Action: Renew the call to support sanctuary cities. Call the Department of Justice 202-353-1555Script: Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a citizen from [CITY, ZIP]. I’m calling to express my opposition to withholding law enforcement funding from sanctuary cities that do not release the names of undocumented people to the federal government. Defunding local law enforcement is an irresponsible and unconsitutional decision that will endanger public safety. [IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied] (from https://5calls.org/issue/recOfZFEcuzgi9JPM)

Action: Contact the newly elected mayor of Rutland, David Allaire, to express your support for Syrian refugees. MayorAllaire@rutlandcity.orgor 802-773-1800

Script: I am one of the Congressman’s constituents in Vermont. I am calling to ask the Congressmen to looking into Jared Kushner’s failure to report his meeting with Russian officials on security clearance forms. His omission is not only a felony, it puts our security at risk.

Script: I am one of the Congressman’s constituents in Vermont. I am asking the Congressman to press for transparency from Trump with regard to the escalation with North Korea. I’m worried that Trump’s going to take action without consulting Congress, and that it will be just as ineffective and potentially dangerous and illegal as his actions towards Syria.

5 “On Monday, ProPublica, the investigative news site, reported that someone had changed the terms of the trust that Trump established before he entered the White House. The trust controls the four hundred or so businesses that Trump owns, and a new clause says that its trustees—Trump’s two sons, Eric and Don, Jr., and a family lawyer, Allen Weisselberg—“shall distribute net income or principal to Donald J. Trump at his request, as the Trustees deem necessary for his maintenance, support or uninsured medical expenses, or as the Trustees otherwise deem appropriate.”” http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/trump-kleptocracy-watch-an-update (from http://roganslist.blogspot.com/)

Script: I am one of the Congressman’s constituents in Vermont. I am calling to ask the Congressman to look into the changes to Trump’s trust, as reported by ProPublica. I am concerned that the changes will pose a conflict of interest.

7 In Vermont, S.32, “A bill that would give a competitive edge in state contracts to businesses that limit their contribution to climate change has hit a roadblock in the governor’s office….Denise Gumpper, chief of contract administration for the Vermont Agency of Transportation said S.32 would effectively block federal funding for most of VTrans’ projects. VTrans has asked legislators to exempt most transportation projects from the requirements in the bill….Though Gumpper says federal rules prohibit the preference S.32 puts into law, others disagree with her interpretation. Johnson said agency heads never raised the issue when Shumlin issued the executive order….VTrans has asked for an amendment to the bill that would eliminate the threat of losing federal funding that the bill represents, Gumpper said. This amendment would exempt most VTrans projects from the bill’s provisions, she said…. The committee’s chairwoman, Sen. Peg Flory, R-Pittsford, has committed to moving the bill forward once those changes are made, Barlow said. It should appear before the Institutions Committee on Tuesday, Barlow said.” https://vtdigger.org/2017/04/07/gov-scott-puts-brakes-climate-change-contract-provision/

Action: Re-contact your local Sheriff/Chief of Police’s asking him/her to take a stand against anti-immigrant policies. (Here is the same script from a previous newsletter). To find your Sheriff/Chief of Police: http://www.usacops.com/ For Rutland, the Chief of Police is Anthony Bossi, 52 Washington St., Rutland, Vermont 05701, Phone: (802)773-1816.

Script (from https://www.wall-of-us.org): Hello, I am calling to see what Chief of Police [______]’s position is on supporting the Trump Administration’s policies targeting lawful undocumented immigrants. Who can I speak to in your office to ensure the Chief of Police receives my message?

[make sure you get to the right person]

Is the Chief of Police voluntarily making the decision to enforce Trumps new policy of targeting lawful undocumented immigrants? I wanted to make sure that the Chief of Police is aware that local law enforcement is not legally required to assist the federal government in enforcing federal law. In fact, the principle of Separation of Powers in the US Constitution makes it clear that the Chief of Police can decide whether or not to enforce federal law and policy. What is the Chief of Police’s position on this?

If planning to cooperate with enforcement of Trump’s new policy say this:

I oppose my local taxes being used to enforce federal immigration law. The enforcement of immigration law should be left to the federal government and not transferred to local law enforcement. The costs are a drain on local resources and divert funding from more effective safety and crime prevention methods. By eroding trust and cooperation between local law enforcement and immigrant communities, public safety is also undermined.

If planning not to enforce Trumps new policy say this:

Thank you, for making the decision to not enforce Trump’s policies. Many members of our community support your decision.

Afterwards: If your sheriff/chief of police is cooperating with Trump and thereby putting his agenda above the safety of the community, post this on social media:

“Sheriff/Chief of Police _____ @[add their handle], deportation is Trump’s priority, not our community’s. Focus on safety and prevention, not deportation. #WallofUs”

Action: Contact Ivanka Trump asking her to all on her father to denounce the “naysayers and acknowledge the tragedy” Ivanka Trump, c/o The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500 orinfo@ivankatrump.com

“Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, have sent an oversight letter to the Army Corps of Engineers demanding documentation about its rushed DAPL approval, including all communications and contact with the Trump transition team and administration. Using this form, let’s join them in asking:” http://lakotalaw.org/ACE-oversight (from http://roganslist.blogspot.com/)

“The NCAA board of governors just announced that North Carolina’s so-called HB2 ‘repeal’ bill is sufficient to justify bringing championship games back to the state. Let’s join in ACLU’s call to remind the NCAA that the new law still does not provide protection for ALL citizens:” https://action.aclu.org/secure/NCAAHB2 (from http://roganslist.blogspot.com/)

“Rep. King has introduced the Right to Work Act in the House. Despite its name, it does not help workers. Similar legislation has been passed 28 state legislatures, with devastating effects: The unionization rate in “right to work” states is less than half that of the rest of the country. Let’s join in on Democracy for America’s petition to stop this bill:” https://petitions.signforgood.com/right-to-work (from http://roganslist.blogspot.com/)

“It looks like Monsanto has had a powerful influence over the EPA. Let’s let the office of the Inspector General of the EPA know that we will not stand for collusion: investigate ties between Monsanto and the EPA. Sign CREDO Action’s petition here:” http://bit.ly/2nLjXw9 (from http://roganslist.blogspot.com/)

“Because a drug used in executions is set to expire at the end of April, Arkansas’ governor is planning on executing eight prisonersin ten days. The drug, midazolam, has caused botched executions in other states, and is no longer used in at least two states. ACLU Action is asking that we sign their petition, asking Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson to halt the executions:” http://bit.ly/2ojbcfV (from http://roganslist.blogspot.com/)